Page 16 of A Lesson In Beginning

“It’s not?”

“No! Everyone wants to be out in the play space, having fun. So, your work would help us out greatly. But if you don’t want to work here — Adah, I promise you we will work to find you something different.” Her hand squeezed mine, and I took her comfort graciously.

“You swear it?” My eyes found hers, praying I found sincerity and not disdain.

“I swear it. We will do whatever we can to help you.” Satisfied that she was being genuine in her words, I nodded my head in agreement. “Alright, let’s get you home, shall we?”

“Yes, let’s.”

It was much later that evening, after I had checked in on Samuel and showered, that I overheard Ruth and Leviticus talking in the kitchen. The lights of the house were all dark, save a single light in the kitchen, which gave dim light to the room. I had come down the hall in search of a drink of water when I overheard the two of them talking.

“She is dealing with things, just as we were, Levi. As we still are.” Ruth’s voice was soft, barely carrying forward even in the quiet stillness of the late evening.

“I just think that we could find something more suitable for her outside of the club. Come on, Ruth. Look at how she reacted! She was traumatized!” Leviticus’ voice held so much judgment, I found myself taken aback.

“Think about what word you just used. Traumatized. She is traumatized. Just as Talia and Naomi were after dealing with the Reverend. It’s why we left Zion. To find some kind of peace, some kind of life in the aftermath. Adah deserves the same. And sure, she was afraid tonight, but can you honestly blame her? None of us really reacted well when confronted with kink, and that was in a one-on-one situation with our husbands. These were strangers — and a lot of them. Of course, she was overwhelmed. Of course, she was afraid. But let me be perfectly clear. While Adah and I have not been close for a very long time, if there is one thing I can say about my sister, it is that she is one of the strongest people I know. Annoyingly so. Give her time.” While Leviticus’ judgmental tone was a shock, that didn’t hit me nearly as hard as hearing my sister come to my defense. It was the last thing I had expected. The very last thing.

“I’m just saying that we could find her a job at a local church or something. Somewhere she’d feel more comfortable.”

“I think we need to trust her, Levi.”

“It’s a little hard to trust her when she has no real idea what she’s getting into.” His derisive scoff made me scowl from my hidden place around the corner.

“And if you ask me, her sister, I think it’s far more important to allow Adah her own mind. She has a right to make her own decisions. That is something she’s never been allowed to do before. And, Levi, let me be clear — I love you, but you don’t understand this. You don’t know what it’s like to be denied your own thoughts, your own opinions, let alone your own decisions. Trust me in this, my love.” Ruth’s insistence made my chest clench with painful emotion. Ruth spoke the truth, a truth I had barely accepted on my own, let alone heard aloud.

“Alright. I trust you. Just know that I am worried that it’s the wrong decision.”

“Then let her come to us with that. Let it be her decision.”

“Yes, beloved. I will let it be her decision.” His acquiescence was punctuated with the sound of a kiss. I slowly crept back to my room, as silent as I could, forgoing the water I had originally wanted.

As I lay in bed, replaying the conversation in my mind, I made a silent vow to myself to not let this opportunity go to waste. Ruth was right. I had never been allowed to make my own decisions, or form my own opinions. It was time for Adah Price, daughter of Zion, to go away. I would leave her buried in Zion along with the memories of a life woefully misled. It was time to be Adah. Just Adah.

Not that I had any idea who she was yet. But I would find out.

* * *

“So, really, that’s all there is to it!” Trixie, the small woman I had met the night before, had just talked me through a typical night here at The Temple, and what working in the kitchen entailed. In all honesty, it was simple work; nothing more than a typical night at home, though instead of feeding a single family, I would be feeding dozens, if not more.

“Thank you for teaching me, Ms. Trixie.”

“Oh god, please don’t call me that. Just Trixie is perfect.” She laughed in that tinkling little way that really seemed to suit her.

“Very well, then. I will get started on tonight’s menu, if that is alright with you.”

“It’s really up to Joel as he typically runs this joint, but I have no doubt he’ll be fine with it.” She gave me a wink and then broke into a wide smile as her eyes focused on something behind me. “Speak of the devil! What’s up, doc?”

“Hey there, Trixie. Adah, it’s good to see you again. Welcome to the Temple Kitchen!” He walked over to us, looking far more handsome than he had any right to, in a thin black pull-over shirt and a pair of denim pants slung low on his hips.

“Doc?” I asked, finding something — anything — to talk about other than the way he looked. My cheeks flushed as I realized just how much his appearance affected me.

“Oh yeah, Joel here is a doctor.” Trixie nudged me with her elbow as she spoke, and I turned my eyes back towards the handsome man with widened eyes.

“A doctor? Here?” I realized how impolite my shock was and quickly schooled my astonished expression back to one of calm politeness.

“Yes, a doctor here. Of all places.” He gestured to the room, that smirk still poised perfectly on his lips.

Don’t think of his lips, Adah. It is unbecoming.

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